Cafeteria worker accused of threatening to shoot up school with AK-47

NORFOLK, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A cafeteria cook at King Philip Middle School is facing charges amid allegations that she threatened to shoot up the school over a batch of cookies.

Wendy Ferris was arraigned Monday on a charge of threats to commit a crime stemming from an incident that took place Friday.

According to a police report, Norfolk police were contacted by the assistant superintendent of King Philip Schools just after 3 p.m. about alleged threats made by the school's head cook.

Witnesses told police Ferris entered the cafeteria manager's office looking for a band-aid in an "uproar" at about 2 p.m. Ferris was reportedly "going off" about a co-worker re-baking cookies that she made because they were overcooked. The manager said Ferris told her she needed to find another cook because evidently she did not know how to do her job or how to cook.

Ferris is quoted in the report as saying, "I'm thinking about going out to buy an AK-47 and shooting this (expletive) school up!"

The manager said Ferris exited the office mumbling profanities after she told her she did not say that and it was a threat.

On Monday, a judge set bail for Ferris at $5,000, and ordered her to stay away from the school and its staff, as well as surrender her guns.

Another cafeteria worker also told police Ferris made similar threats earlier in the day. The worker alleged Ferris said she had a list and another school employee was on the top of it after the employee did not say hello to her. The worker further alleged Ferris said she could "bring a gun in and shoot people" and buy ammo.

Police said the worker did not take Ferris seriously and laughed it off. The worker and cafeteria manager decided to notify the school's food service director after they discussed their interactions with Ferris.

During the investigation, the cafeteria worker told police she knew Ferris is a hunter and owned firearms. She said on Jan. 21, Ferris told her she shot a coyote in her yard.

Wendy's husband, Phillip Ferris, spoke outside court Monday, saying that he did not believe the allegations against his wife and that, "she's a great person."

Investigators learned Ferris has an active Massachusetts license to carry out of Wrentham and owns a 9mm handgun. They say while she is listed as living in Wrentham with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, she currently resides in Cumberland, R.I. and is no longer a Mass. resident.

Ferris has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to a letter to parents from school officials.